Robert (left) receives the Socso aid from Philip on behalf of the children.
KUCHING (April 1): The Social Security Organisation (Socso) is in the midst of discussing the move of adopting the three children of the couple who died from electrocution in Cameron Highlands recently.
This was stated by Socso Sarawak director Phillip Sangkan during a visit to the children at their uncle’s house in Kota Samarahan today.
According to Philip, the proposed adoption would be arranged under the organisation’s ‘Program Prihatin Keluarga Angkat PERKESI (Protrek)’.
“Through this programme, we could continue monitoring the children and ensure that all assistance for their various needs, such as education, would be met.
“Rest assured, all we want is the best for them and hopefully, the programme (Protrek) would help them as they grow,” said Phillip.
Earlier, he said the children would receive monthly financial aid under Socso’s Invalidity Scheme until they turned 21 or got married. Philip later handed over the first payout to the children’s guardian, Robert Aldi.
“The children of the late Damian Senin are eligible for this scheme, as their father had continually made monthly contribution to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) up until his death.
“Under this programme, the aid would be credited to the account of their (children’s) caretaker every month,” Phillip told reporters.
On another note, Phillip encouraged all self-employed workers to continue making EPF contributions, as a ‘safety net’ for their next-of-kin in the event of accidents, permanent disability or death.
Meanwhile Robert, who is the brother of the children’s mother Ronwina Mambai, expressed his thanks to all of those who had provided help and support throughout these trying times.
“Being a retired soldier (last in service around 2019), I no longer have a steady source of income other than my pension, so I’m grateful for this financial aid given to us.
“Although it grieves me to accept that my sister and her husband are no longer with us, I would continue to do my job and take care of their children as if they’re my own,” said Robert, who was recently given a one-off RM2,000 funeral benefit from Socso.
Damian and Ronwina were found dead in the bathroom of their house in Taman Puncak Tringkap in Cameron Highlands on March 10.
Both were laid to rest in the Christian cemetery at Section 21 in Shah Alam, on March 13 – a day after post-mortem was conducted at Sultan Hajjah Kalsom Hospital in Tanah Rata.
The couple’s children, aged between two and 10, were flown back to Kuching on March 16.
At present, Robert and his wife, Kelly Jhon, 41, are the designated guardians of the three young siblings.